The Anglo-Saxon name Carthen comes from when its first bearer worked as a person who builds carts. Another alternative origin of this surname is guard which is derived from the Old English word Caretarius or Carda.

Carthen Early Origins

The surname Carthen was first found in Winchester, where the Carthen family held a family seat from ancient times. The name first appeared on the tax records of the Middle Ages dating back to the years immediately after the Norman Conquest of 1066.

Carthen Spelling Variations

Carthen Spelling Variations

Until quite recently, the English language has lacked a definite system of spelling rules. Consequently, Anglo-Saxon surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. Changes in Anglo-Saxon names were influenced by the evolution of the English language, as it incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other languages. Although Medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, so it is common to find one person referred to by several different spellings of his surname, even the most literate people varied the spelling of their own names. Variations of the name Carthen include Carter, Carters and others.

Carthen Early History

Carthen Early History

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Carthen research. Another 191 words (14 lines of text) covering the years 1086, 1250, 1619, 1676, 1654, 1660, 1608, 1684, 1637, 1642, 1617, 1668, 1654 and 1656 are included under the topic Early Carthen History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Carthen Early Notables (pre 1700)

Carthen Early Notables (pre 1700)

Notables of this surname at this time include William Carter of Eccleshall Castle; Sir John Carter (ca.1619-1676), an English politician who sat in the House of Commons at various times between 1654 and 1660; The Rev. Thomas Carter (1608-1684), a...

Another 40 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Carthen Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Carthen In Ireland

Carthen In Ireland

Some of the Carthen family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. Another 123 words (9 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

The Great Migration

The Great Migration

Searching for a better life, many English families migrated to British colonies. Unfortunately, the majority of them traveled under extremely harsh conditions: overcrowding on the ships caused the majority of the immigrants to arrive diseased, famished, and destitute from the long journey across the ocean. For those families that arrived safely, modest prosperity was attainable, and many went on to make invaluable contributions to the development of the cultures of the new colonies. Research into the origins of individual families in North America revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Carthen or a variant listed above: Ambrose Carter, who settled in Virginia in 1663; Thomas Carter and his wife Frances, who came to Philadelphia in 1685 with their children Thomas, Henry, Ann, and John, Chris Carter, who immigrated to St. John's, Newfoundland in 1705.

Shaw, William A. Knights of England A Complete Record from the Earliest Time to the Present Day of the Knights of all the Orders of Chivalry in England, Scotland, Ireland and Knights Bachelors 2 Volumes. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing. Print. (ISBN 080630443X).

The Carthen Family Crest was acquired from the Houseofnames.com archives. The Carthen Family Crest was drawn according to heraldic standards based on published blazons. We generally include the oldest published family crest once associated with each surname.